TBA News Brief

Understanding Marsy's Law in Ohio — Evolving Interpretation and Practical Impacts for Attorneys
1.0 General Credit Hour

May 12, 2026
12 - 1 PM
Live In-Person Seminar
Toledo Bar Association, 2nd Floor

Presenters:

• Hon. Matthew Reger, Wood County Court of Common Please
• Hon. Gene Zmuda, Sixth District Court of Appeals

Since taking effect in 2018, Marsy’s Law has significantly reshaped victims’ constitutional rights in Ohio, and courts continue to refine how those rights operate in practice. This program provides an up-to-date overview of the amendment’s core protections—notice, participation, privacy, and restitution—and examines how recent Ohio Supreme Court and appellate decisions have clarified victims’ standing, the enforceability of privacy provisions, and the limits of victims’ independent participation in criminal proceedings.

REGISTER
 

This seminar is sponsored by:

As part of the First Gen Lawyer’s Project, Toledo Bar Association member Karl Strauss, Esq., interviews Vallie T. Bowman-English, Toledo Municipal Clerk of Court, about her career journey and the path that led her to the practice of law. 

LISTEN TO PODCAST

Through meaningful mentorships, programming and podcasts, the TBA hopes to create a network of resources and connections to help first generation attorneys and law students establish their careers and find a home within the Toledo legal community. Learn more about the First Gen Lawyer's Project at www.toledobar.org/firstgen.

The NextGen Bar Exam: What It Means for Law Students



By Emily Ramsey

Beginning in 2026, law graduates across the United States will face a significantly different path to legal licensure as the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) rolls out the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination. Forty-seven states, four territories, and the District of Columbia have announced, as of February 2026, their adoption of the NextGen Bar Exam, marking one of the most substantial changes to attorney licensure in decades. The first NextGen Bar Exam will be administered in July 2026, with all adopting jurisdictions expected to complete the transition by July 2028.

The NextGen Bar Exam is designed to respond to long-standing criticism that the traditional bar exam emphasized memorization and speed over real-world lawyering skills. Under the new format, the exam shifts toward a skills-based assessment model administered over a day and a half. According to the NCBE, the redesigned exam is intended to better reflect how lawyers actually work by integrating doctrinal knowledge with legal analysis, writing, research, and client counseling.

In addition to altering the format, the NextGen exam narrows the list of tested subjects to a smaller group of foundational doctrinal areas. While the precise contours of the exam continue to evolve, the overall goal is clear: to assess whether new graduates can apply legal principles in practical, client-centered scenarios rather than simply recall large volumes of memorized information.

Students at the University of Toledo College of Law have expressed mixed reactions to the upcoming change. Some welcome the emphasis on practical skills, viewing it as a more realistic measure of readiness to practice. Others, however, are uneasy about preparing for an exam that has yet to be widely administered.
“It’s hard to study for something when there isn’t a clear roadmap,” said a first-year law student. “With the UBE, you know what to expect. With NextGen, everything feels uncertain.”

That uncertainty is compounded by the staggered adoption timelines across jurisdictions. Students graduating in the same class may face entirely different licensing exams depending on where they plan to practice. Some may sit for the traditional Uniform Bar Exam, while others take the new NextGen format.

“It’s strange knowing that people I’m studying with every day could be taking a completely different exam,” said a second-year student. “We’re in the same classes, but the finish line looks different for everyone.”

At the University of Toledo College of Law, students sitting for the Ohio or Michigan bar after July 2027 will be among the first in the region to take the NextGen exam. Most current third-year students and many second-year students are expected to take the traditional UBE. However, students graduating later in the transition period—or those who must retake the exam—may instead face the NextGen format. This creates an unusual scenario in which members of the same graduating class could prepare for different licensing exams depending on timing and jurisdiction.

As jurisdictions continue their transition, law schools and students are watching closely. Whether the NextGen Bar Exam ultimately improves legal licensure or simply reshapes its challenges will become clearer once the first cohorts sit for the exam in 2026. For now, students must prepare not only for the practice of law, but for a licensing landscape that is actively evolving.

The Heart of Toledo Law: Student Leadership & Community



By Nevaeh Johnson

Law school is demanding by nature and as a result it is extremely easy to succumb to the stress of it all. At The University of Toledo College of Law, our student organizations serve as an essential source of connection, advocacy, and surviving. These organizations provide students with opportunities to engage with the law beyond the learning we do in the classroom, serve the Toledo community, and build relationships that last throughout the rest of our careers. 

When I became the first Biracial Black woman to serve as Student Bar Association (SBA) President, I was deeply aware of the importance of community, especially in a space as mentally challenging as law school. I also understood as a first-generation law student how important it is to pursue the interests that brought you to law school to begin with. From the beginning of my presidency, my goal has been to create an environment where students of all interests, backgrounds, and commitments, felt heard, supported, and empowered to build community around the things they care about. The Student Bar Association plays a central role in supporting this culture. Our SBA is entirely independent and receives no funding from the university. As a result, every event hosted by SBA, or funded by SBA, is made possible through student fees and intentional collaboration. This structure allows student leaders to directly respond to student needs without outside pressure. 

All of our student organizations dedicate their time to supporting their community. OUTLaw hosts one of the largest SBA sponsored organization events every school year, the Shows for Clothes Drag Show. This event brings together students, local attorneys, and faculty for performances that celebrate self-expression, inclusion, and joy. OUTLaw also extends its mission beyond our building with events such as its upcoming Name Change Clinic, which will assist members of the local community in navigating the complicated legal process of changing their names with the assistance of our legal clinics. 

The Women’s Law Student Association (WLSA) has remained dedicated to service and collaboration. One recent highlight was its partnership with the Toledo Women’s Bar Association, during which members packed period products for girls and women in need throughout Toledo. Delta Theta Phi continues their long tradition of service through its commitment to giving back. Most recently, their members volunteered at the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank, sorting and organizing goods for distribution. 

The Black Law Students Association (BLSA) is hosting a full month of events during Black History Month, including a Black History Bake Sale and its Ben Davis Speaker Series, featuring attorneys Shawn Nelson and Lafe Tolliver. Their biggest event of the year is coming up on April 13th, the Torrence Green Scholarship Banquet. This event brings together our local legal community, as well as students for a night of networking and building connections in honor of the late Torrence Green. 

The Latino Law Student Association aims to foster a collaborative environment that champions increased Latino representation at the University of Toledo College of Law. They strive to curate meaningful events that engage alumni and celebrate the richness of their heritage. They often seek to collaborate with organizations both within and beyond the law school to amplify their collective voice and remain responsive to the evolving social and political needs of their community. 

Toledo Law students also regularly engage with the legal community beyond Ohio. The International Law Society recently traveled to New York City to attend International Law Weekend, giving students the chance to discuss global legal issues with global practitioners. As a team, Sports Law Society took a trip to the Tulane International Baseball Arbitration Competition. The organization stated that the competition taught them how deep preparation, adaptability, and collaboration matter in high-pressure, real-world advocacy settings. The competition showed them that success in advocacy depends not just on knowing the law, but on teamwork, poise, and the ability to think on your feet. 

This year has also seen the growth of new organizations, including the Immigration Law Association, the American Constitution Society, and the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, giving more students the opportunity to find their community and pursue their interests. 

At its core, the strength of Toledo Law is in its students and their willingness to build community together. It’s one of the things that make Toledo Law so special. Through independent funding, intentional leadership, and the dedication of our student organizations, SBA remains committed to ensuring that law school is not just a place of constant high-pressure and stress, but a place where students can do what they came to law school to do. As SBA President, I am proud of the leadership, service, and collaboration demonstrated by our student organizations and I am grateful for the continued support of the local legal community in fostering the next generation of amazing attorneys.     

Rule of Law, Access, & Justice: The Enduring Mission of UToledo College of Law



By Dean Rebecca E. Zietlow

In today’s chaotic world of legal uncertainty, law schools are more important than ever. Our mission at UToledo Law is to address this chaos and provide an opportunity for our students to solve the pressing problems of today. In this effort, we are driven by three principles - promoting the rule of law, expanding access to legal education and committing to access to justice and service in our community.

First, all law schools promote the rule of law. We do that by teaching students legal principles, and how to use law as a non-violent way to resolve disputes. At UToledo, students learn not just how to advocate for their clients, but how law underpins our democracy, our civil society, and our everyday lives. We promote the rule of law not only by teaching about the law, but also by celebrating the “Toledo Way.” That means lawyers treat each other with collegiality and respect. We stand by our word. We hold ourselves—and each other—to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. And we instill those values in our students.

Our faculty contribute as well, not only in the classroom but through nationally recognized scholarship. They’re tackling pressing legal challenges, exploring threats to the rule of law, and developing real-world solutions. In the last year alone, our faculty has been featured on the news or published regarding birthright citizenship, federal unions, free speech, and workers’ rights. In addition, our alumni include leaders in law, politics, and public service. 

Second, UToledo Law has a special mission of access to legal education. As a public institution, UToledo Law is one of the most affordable law schools in the country. We have the 13th lowest average student debt nationally. That affordability makes law school—and a legal career—possible for students who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity. About 40% of our students are the first in their family to graduate from college, and over 80% are first-generation lawyers. We are proud of all our students, including those from multigenerational Toledo Law families. But we carry a special responsibility to those who are blazing a trail—students who may be new to the legal profession, but who bring fresh perspectives and deep motivation.

Third, UToledo Law has a long-standing tradition of advancing access to justice and graduating lawyers who serve the public interest. Our clinical programs are central to that mission. UToledo Law was among the first law schools in the nation to create a legal clinic.  Today, students continue to represent real clients under faculty supervision in our Civil Advocacy, Immigration Justice Clinic and Tax Controversy Clinics. Our Externships Program provides students with hands-on experience across a wide range of legal settings. I am excited to report that UToledo Law has just received a grant to fund a Governor’s Expedited Pardon Clinic, adding to our clinical opportunities. 

Clinical students and externs learn how to practice law by providing vital services to our local community. US News and World report ranks UToledo Law as 27th in the country among law schools with graduates who pursue public interest careers, and we are so proud of that designation. Moreover, no matter the job that our students choose when they graduate, they bring their commitment to community service into their legal career.

In conclusion, at Toledo Law, our central mission is clear: to promote the rule of law, educate and serve the needs of our students and greater legal community. Everything we do—our teaching, our clinics, our community engagement—is focused on preparing students to succeed and to make a difference.
 

As part of the First Gen Lawyer's Project, Karl Strauss, Esq. and Noah Woods, Esq., both members of the Toledo Bar Association (TBA), interview Christina M. Rodriguez, Housing Conditions Attorney at The Fair Housing Center on her journey through her career and what brought her to the practice of law. 

LISTEN TO PODCAST

Through meaningful mentorships, programming and podcasts, the TBA hopes to create a network of resources and connections to help first generation attorneys and law students establish their careers and find a home within the Toledo legal community. Learn more about the First Gen Lawyer's Project at www.toledobar.org/firstgen.

On Friday, January 30, 2026, the Toledo Bar Association (TBA) welcomed students from high schools in northwest Ohio to Toledo Municipal Court for the 43rd Annual Ohio High School Mock Trial District Competition.

This past fall, students across Ohio received an original case written around a current constitutional issue important to them. Students argued both sides of a motion hearing blending forensic science, emerging technology, and Fourth Amendment law. The case centered on the 2000 murder of warehouse worker Caleb “CJ” Jansen, cold for 25 years until a high school student uploaded their DNA to a genealogy site—unknowingly leading police to Morgan Remy, a former coworker whose DNA matched and who possessed CJ’s missing ring. Before trial, the defense moved to suppress the genetic genealogy evidence, challenging whether its use without a warrant violated the Fourth Amendment.

At the district competition, the teams competed in two trials against opposing teams. Teams must win both trials, or the majority of their judges’ ballots, to advance to regionals. Students from Eastwood High School, Perrysburg High School, Sylvania Southview High School, St. Francis de Sales School, and St. Ursula Academy ​​​​​​argued both sides of the case in front of volunteer panelists. Three teams from Perrysburg High School, Sylvania Southview High School, and St. Ursula Academy advanced from the district competition and will compete in the regional competition on February 20. 

The TBA thanks its volunteer attorneys that served as judicial panelists during the competition, the staff at Ohio Center for Law-Related Education as well as Toledo Municipal Court judges and staff for allowing area high school students to utilize courtrooms on the third floor to provide an authentic experience for the students to compete and perform in a courtroom. The TBA congratulates all students on their participation of this year's Ohio High School Mock Trial District Competition. 

Perrysburg High School Mock Trial Team		Sylvania Southview Mock Trial Teams
St. Ursula Academy Mock Trial Team
TBA members, Sol Zyndorf, Esq., Twila Ferguson, and Hon. James Bates volunteer as judicial panelists.		TBA members, Hannah Twining, Esq., Gordon Barry, Esq., and James Burkhardt, Esq. volunteer as judicial panelists.
TBA members, Peggy Mattimore Sturgeon, Esq., Marty Goff, Esq., and Sarah Smidi, Esq. volunteer as judicial panelists.		TBA members, Valerie Fatica, Esq., Eric John Roberts, MMC, and Hon. Daniel Hazard volunteer as judicial panelists.

The TBA sponsors a Summer Clerkship Program to offer qualified law students who come from backgrounds that have been historically excluded from the legal field the opportunity to build legal practice skills and knowledge. This is accomplished by matching accepted students with the opportunity to work as a summer associate in a local law firm, corporate legal department, court or public sector position. The program is open to law students at the University of Toledo and law students with connections to the Toledo area but attend law school out of the area. The program provides invaluable work experience and mentoring.  

Applications for the 2026 Summer Clerkship Program are now open.
 

APPLY NOW

Deadline to apply is February 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM. 
 

Carasusana Wall
Chair, Summer Clerkship Program
Zoll & Kranz, LLC

The TBA invites area students, grades 7 through 12, to participate in the 2026 Toledo Bar Association Caty Armstrong Memorial Law Day Essay Contest. Cash prizes for each division available! 

Write an essay on the topic:
The Rule of Law and the American Dream

From the nation's earliest days, the promise of America has been rooted in the idea that all people are equal under the law. The 2026 Law Day theme, "The Rule of Law and the American Dream," highlights how our constitutional framework protects the rights and freedoms that allow each person to pursue their own path. By ensuring that no one is above the law, our system promotes fairness, stability, and opportunity. This year, we invite students to consider how the rule of law helps turn aspirations into reality.

ESSAY QUESTION
 

Entries due by Friday, February 27, 2026 at 3:30 PM. For the complete essay questions, contest details, and rules visit www.toledobar.org/lawday26.

This season will highlight: "Wellness in the Legal Profession"

In this episode, hosts Brad Lagusch, TBA CEO, and Michelle Tussing, TBA Pro Bono Director, sit down with Isabella Weik, President & CEO of the Toledo Mindfulness Institute, to highlight the work of TMI Studio. Isabella discusses how TMI Studio offers coaching in breathwork, meditation, and mindfulness, and why these practices are especially important for attorneys and law students facing high levels of stress and pressure. The conversation explores how integrating wellness tools can support resilience, balance, and overall well-being in the legal profession.

LISTEN TO PODCAST
 

Through meaningful mentorships, programming and podcasts, the TBA hopes to create a network of resources and connections to help first generation attorneys and law students establish their careers and find a home within the Toledo legal community. Learn more about the FirstGen Lawyer's Project at www.toledobar.org/firstgen.